Speak Out 10/16/07

Trickle-down race

GARY RUST referred to a newspaper editorial endorsing the alleged economic benefit to all Missourians from the Tour of Missouri bike race. Since we taxpayers financed a third of it, I wonder when said benefits will trickle down to us hicks in the sticks who didn't get to see the race.

Taxes and booms

THERE IS no relationship between lower taxes and an economic boom. One of the longest periods of economic expansion was in the post-World War II period when the rich paid marginal tax rates of 91 percent. Supply-side economics is a myth perpetrated on the middle class and poor by the haves.

Pales by comparison

THE DEPARTMENT of Natural Resources will allow each of the ethanol plants to discharge up to 300 tons of air pollutants, including hazardous pollutants known to cause cancer. Kind of makes the so-called secondhand smoke issue pale, doesn't it?

Not a major label

CHRIS DAUGHTRY may be a pretty big name, but come on. A major label act? The Show Me Center has failed miserably to consistently bring anything great. There have been some major labels here, but it has been a rare occurrence. Tina Turner, ZZ Top, Def Leppard, Lynard Skynard -- those are major labels. Sadly, what fills our Show Me Center is the dumbest thing ever: WWF wrestling, which is fake. What a testament to Southeast Missouri culture (or lack of it). The Trans-Siberian Orchestra was awesome, but if you want to pack the house, bring in some redneck wrestling. Poplar Bluff's Black River Coliseum consistently has decent concerts.

Church business

I AM concerned about the discrimination and the anti-Christian sentiments expressed by city officials considering a special-use permit for the Angel Food Ministry. One member of the planning and zoning commission said, "Where is there a limit to this? When do you stop the outreach ministries on that property?" Jesus Christ said that we are to love and serve our neighbor and that this is most important after loving God. So to say a church should curtail outreach ministries is contradicting Jesus' instructions to his followers. I feel the board's action was discriminatory. Other churches have meals and charge money, making a profit. Other churches hold rummage sales and arts/crafts sales to raise money for the church. According to this board, those churches are running a retail business in a residential zone. I expect the city to put a stop to all other churches in residential zones from running such businesses. As to the rich neighbors who expressed such anti-Christian views, I wonder in what church's pew do they sit so piously every Sunday. You should be ashamed of your hypocrisy.